Okay, I read through this link, concerns well expressed.

What on earth is Brigadoon? Or Second Life? Do I even need to know?

I too gave contribution(s) directly to John Lester (via paypal I think?) to upgrade servers, etc., after the flood, and I thought I was contributing to the upkeep of BrainTalk.

Obviously I'm out of the loop on this, and with the forum archives gone I don't know how to catch up.